Royal Caribbean-owned cruise lines are replacing the traditional safety drill and implementing a new virtual drill that reimagines the process.
New Virtual Royal Caribbean Safety Drill
Royal Caribbean Group has announced it’s ditching the traditional safety drill and moving forward with a new virtual drill which is the first of its kind and even patented. The new process is more personal and allows for improveds social distancing and higher levels of safety.
With Muster 2.0, the key elements of the safety drill – including reviewing what to expect and where to go in case of an emergency, and instructions on how to properly use a life jacket – will be accessible to guests on an individual basis instead of a group approach that has been followed historically. New technology, eMuster, will be used to help provide the information to guests via their mobile devices and interactive stateroom TVs.
Richard Fain, chairman and CEO, Royal Caribbean Group, said:
“The health and safety of our guests and crew are our number one priority, and the development of this new muster process is an elegant solution to an outdated, unpopular process.”
“The fact that this will also save guests time and allow the ship to operate without pause means that we can increase health, safety and guest satisfaction simultaneously.”
“Muster 2.0 represents a natural extension of our mission to improve our guests’ vacation experiences by removing points of friction,” said Jay Schneider, Royal Caribbean Group’s senior vice president of digital. “In this instance, what’s most convenient for our guests is also the safest option in light of needing to reimagine social spaces in the wake of COVID-19.”
Travelers will be able to review the information at their own time prior to setting sail, eliminating the need for the traditional large group assemblies. The new approach also enables everyone on board to maintain better spacing as guests move about the ship, and it allows guests to enjoy more of their vacation with no interruption.
After reviewing safety information individually, guests will complete the drill by visiting their assigned assembly station, where a crew member will verify that all steps have been completed and answer questions. Each of the steps will need to be completed prior to the ship’s departure, as required by international maritime law.
Also Read: Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise Line Team Up for New Health Protocols
The cruise company has been working with the relevant authorities to make sure the new drill procedures comply. Muster 2.0 is being implemented across Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara. TUI Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line will be able to use the new patented safety drill.
When cruises start to resume from October guests will be using the new procedure which is part of a much larger change with new measures to keep guests and crew safe before, during and after a vacation at sea.
